People of all ages and backgrounds descended upon the Black Hills for the 37th annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch this weekend.
One of the thousands of hikers at this year’s spring Volksmarch was Robert, a Benedictine monk from Minnesota who said its the cross-section of people you meet on these hikes that draws him to the trails.
People like Rita Holland, from Coon Rapids Minnesota. She said the Volksmarch, among other Black Hills destinations, was a bucket list item.
“I’ve wanted to do the walk for forever, and finally some friends planned it and I asked, ‘can I come along,’ and it’s been wonderful – we’ve been out a week," Holland said. "I’m from the south and it kinda reminds me of New Mexico, the mountains of New Mexico, I keep thinking of that when I see this. It’s spectacular, we live in a great country I tell you.”
For people of Native backgrounds, the monument is a destination with it’s own significance. Lucienne Jimenez is a woman of mixed-Native ancestry from Pueblo, Colorado who said Crazy Horse helps her feel seen in the Mount Rushmore State.
“We come and do this trek every year with our friends from Minnesota, Wyoming and Montana, we meet here and spend the weekend," Jimenez said. "Not only is it historical for us, but it’s about bringing people together who don’t get to see each other on a regular basis. It’s beautiful to see there’s finally some recognition of the Native American people who were here before anybody else.”
It’s not only tourists who want to have a moment at Crazy Horse though. Dennis White Thunder from Porcupine reflected on the monument at the peak.
“Probably every Native American across America knows who he is – and I’m proud of it," White Thunder said. "We’re proud to be Natives.”
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first blast at the site. The next Volksmarch is scheduled for Sunday Oct. 1.